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Kicks, returns in forefront

Clarke Central's Chris Sanders returned a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown against Habersham Central.

R.C. Rique/Staff Cedar Shoals' Matt Muia knows Friday night's grudge match against Clarke Central could come down to his having to kick a game-winning field goal.

Clarke Central's Daniel Autry knows exactly the same thing.

Their response? Bring it on.

As the Gladiators (5-0) and Jaguars (4-0) prepare for Friday night's clash at the Jungle, both teams are keenly aware of the other's defensive prowess, and both understand the importance special teams could play in determining the outcome.

In addition to their solid kickers, both teams feature outstanding kick returners - Chris Sanders for Clarke Central and Mickey Sheats for Cedar Shoals. Sanders had a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Habersham Central, and Sheats has had two punt returns for touchdowns negated by penalties.

Clarke Central kicker Matt Muia kicked an overtime field goal to beat Heritage. Special teams could play a significant role in Friday's game.

Allen Sullivan/Staff

In a game that could hinge on field position as much as anything else, being strong in kick returning - and kick return coverage - could be crucial.

''If you get good kickoffs and good punts, then hopefully you can cover,'' Clarke Central coach William DeVane said. ''That could turn the game. That could be a deciding factor in the game. Whoever makes the least mistakes offensively and if you put together one or two huge plays on special teams, that could be the deciding factor in the game. That's how important it is.''

''Everybody knows it's going to come down to something big,'' Sanders said. ''Nobody expects a high-scoring game. It might come down to special teams. I'm looking forward to it. Hopefully I can do something big.''

Strong play in special teams is especially important in this game because both teams have played stifling defense, particularly the Jaguars. Cedar Shoals has outscored its opposition 91-9 in four games, having allowed just three field goals - one of those in overtime.

Clarke Central's defensive record is almost as daunting; the Gladiators have outscored their five opponents 138-38, allowing just five touchdowns - two in garbage time last Friday against Loganville.

Cedar Shoals coach Scott Wilkins said Sunday he felt his team was slightly stronger defensively, and that Clarke Central was slightly stronger offensively.

With those two effectively canceled out, Wilkins said, special teams move to the forefront.

''I don't say that to demean any school on one thing or another,'' Wilkins said, ''but I think it's going to come down to the kicking game.''

If, as expected, the Classic City clash goes down to the wire, it could be either Muia or Autry who's called on to win it. That's fine with both.

''It's a heavy load to carry because this is Cedar Shoals vs. Clarke Central,'' Autry said. ''It's probably one of the biggest games I'll ever play in high school. We're both undefeated, so this could decide who wins our region.''

''That's something that I'd like for it to happen,'' Muia said. ''That'd be a chance that I'd like to have on my shoulders. That'd be something I'd want to do. That'd be almost like a dream to be able to kick that winning field goal.''

Muia's confidence is well-founded. In Cedar Shoals' last game, he kicked a 37-yard field goal to pull the Jaguars into a 6-6 tie with Heritage and force a second overtime period, in which Cedar Shoals collected a 13-6 win.

If he's called on again, Muia said, he'll use the experience of kicking a pressure field goal to his benefit.

''I think it gives me a lot more confidence,'' Muia said. ''I think it gives the team a lot more confidence in me. ... It'd be something to look back on to make myself stronger in that situation that I've already done it and I could do it again.''

Autry hasn't had a game-winning opportunity this season - he did miss a potential game-tying kick against Salem last year - but the sophomore connected twice against Loganville and is 2-for-2 from inside 40 yards.

That's been more than enough for Sanders to express full confidence in his place-kicking teammate.

''If we get inside the 30 or 40 we're going to score,'' Sanders said. ''There's not a better kicker anywhere in this state right now.''